NEWCASTLE United will run the rule over Russia’s versatile Andrei Arshavin in Saturday’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Israel in Tel Aviv.

The game could decide whether or not England will be going to the finals in Switzerland and Austria next June and fans will be glued to their TVs on Saturday night.

United will be represented – and their eyes will be on the 26-year-old Arshavin, who plays for Zenit St Petersburg.

These are not the best of days for United fans, but they will be comforted by the fact that Sam Allardyce has already made his plans for when the transfer window opens again in January.

Big Sam has a number of targets, and the Chronicle can reveal that while he may not be top of the list, Arshavin is most definitely on it.

He is Zenit St Petersburg’s top player and they would want in the region of £7m for him.

And it’s easy to see just why Allardyce will dispatch his top scouts to watch Arshavin in Tel Aviv.

He can actually play in four roles – as a deep-lying forward, an out-and-out winger, an attacking midfielder and as a back-up striker, and he is just the type of player United need.

His versatility is further highlighted by the fact he was voted the best right-sided midfielder in Russia six years ago, and in 2004 and 2005 he got the nod as the best shadow striker – and last year he was named as Russia’s Player of the Year.

A Premier League club’s European scout told me today: “Arshavin has superb pace, he is a great dribbler with the ball, he has vision and technique, and his passing is second to none.”

Arshavin has been in the Russian national team for the past five years, and he led his country out in the Euro qualifier with Estonia back in March.

He has scored 11 goals in his 25 matches for Zenit St Petersburg this term – and goals are something United need.

Their last three have been made up of two own goals, courtesy of Michael Duberry and Sol Campbell, and Saturday’s fluke from James Milner at Sunderland.

But United also have problems at the other end of the field and, after watching that shambolic defending when Danny Higginbotham nodded Sunderland in front on Saturday, it is clear that Allardyce is no closer to sorting out his back four.

That’s why, while he is not exactly a fans’ favourite, Allardyce will be glad to have the experienced Stephen Carr available again.

And he was one of the reasons for yesterday’s behind-closed-doors match with St Mirren at the training ground.